Today in History:

1039 Series I Volume XLII-III Serial 89 - Richmond-Fort Fisher Part III

Page 1039 Chapter LIV. CORRESPONDENCE,ETC.-UNION.

CITY POINT, VA., December 19, 1864.

(Received 11.40 a.m.)

Major-General MEADE:

The lieutenant-general left Washington yesterday at 3 p.m., and he should be here before 3 to-day.

JNO. A. RAWLINS,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

OFFICE OF THE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL, December 19, 1864.

Major General G. G. MEADE,

Commanding Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: Scouts from Richmond report, via City Point, that on Friday and Saturday of last week Rodes' division, of Early's command, passed through Richmond on the way to Petersburg; cannot say that it is destined for Petersburg or farther south; also that Jeff. Davis is very sick, and was not expected to live. Early has still left in the Valley Wharton's division (Breckinridge's old), and Rosser's and Imboden's cavalry. Two refugees from Petersburg that came into the lines of the Ninth Army Corps, near Battery No. 1, last night, report that a division of infantry passed over the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad to Petersburg on Friday last; cannot say that it went farther south than Petersburg; also report that Jeff. Davis died on Saturday evening last at his residence in Richmond. This was currently reported in Petersburg yesterday, and generally believed. No news from Savannah, except a report that it had been occupied by Sherman.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO. C. BABCOCK.


HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, SIGNAL DEPARTMENT, December 19, 1864.

Major General G. G. MEADE,
Commanding Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: The Church road signal station reports that at 4 p.m. a column of infantry, showing five colors and occupying ten minutes in passing a point, moved westward on the Boydton plank road. They were seen 30 degrees west of north from this station. A small working party engaged near lead-works; otherwise no changes.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. F. FISHER,

Colonel and Chief Signal Officer.

FRONT OF FORT HOWARD, December 19, 1864-5.15 p.m.

Colonel B. F. FISHER,

Chief Signal Officer, U. S. Army:

No change observed in the enemy's lines on this front this day. A small working party seen strengthening old works near lead-works.

C. G. AIKEN,

Sergeant, Signal Corps.


Page 1039 Chapter LIV. CORRESPONDENCE,ETC.-UNION.